image copyright William Garvin
taken off savethemanatee.org [11/27/2011]
My stand up paddle boarding day today on Hutchinson Island, FL, just north of the power plant, turned into an awesome day. Spent the day surrounded by several Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris).
The first close encounter consisted of three juveniles and two adult manatees encircling my paddleboard as I paddled out form the dock. They passed beside and under the board for a long time. It was so cool. I sat down on the board for a long time and just enjoyed their company.
After that I paddled out in the bay for a few miles, then just hung out for awhile. Saw several more swimming up and down the entire way. On the way back, I was lolly gagging, enjoying the view when my board approached a very large manatee, who must have been resting because she didn't hear me approaching, by the time I realized I was right on her, she did too and freaked out! Needless to say huge wave, splashes and a big woo-hoo from me!! You'd think those big round manatees can't move that fast but she took off so fast. I managed to stay on the board-miracle!! Leslie (hubby) was a ways behind me and saw this from a distance...He thought I was being attacked by a school of Tarpon or worse... he is paddling so fast to get to me....
When he got there all he found was me standing on my board with this huge grin on my face. THAT WAS AWESOME!!! Then another manatee escorted me the entire way back into the little channel we started from... another awesome day in the neighborhood!!
FYI
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is a federally protected species. You can find out more information here. or go to savethemantee.org
